Page 6 of One Impossible Moment
Chapter 3
Kallie
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Kallie sat on the frontsteps of the foster house, picking at a splinter in the railing as the afternoon sun baked her legs.The new home wasn't bad, not really.The food was okay.They got a lot of pizza delivered and often ate it cold for breakfast.The bed was clean and comfortable, despite the faded My Little Pony bedspread.
The parents were okay.They were more distracted than strict, which meant they were checked out and rarely enforced punishments.
Since arriving last summer, Ted and Corrine worked every day of the week, selling used junk online.Because they worked in the house's basement, she and Seth, her foster brother, were expected to stay outside unless they were sleeping or doing homework.That seemed to be a common rule among all the foster parents she'd had in the past.
It made school feel more like home, more welcoming.But it was summer break, and she had no other choice but to stay outside.
She sighed in boredom.There wasn't much to do.Because she was twelve years old, she no longer played children's games.
She'd learned too early that being a kid wasn't something she got to do.Foster parents expected her to do everything on her own.She had to make sure she bathed, had clean clothes, got herself up in the morning, and put herself to bed.
Sometimes she craved a hug.She wrapped her arms around her waist.She imagined the warmth and softness surrounding her, but she couldn't remember ever having one.Even her teachers only patted her on the back or the shoulder.
Seth plopped down beside her, kicking dust off the step.He was fourteen years old, louder and meaner in the way boys got when they thought acting like a jerk made them important.
"You're skinny," he announced, like it was a fact she hadn't noticed."Skinny and flat.No boobs at all."
"Wow.Breaking news."Kallie rolled her eyes."I'd rather be skinny and flat than loud and stupid."
"No one wants you," he went on, ignoring her."Not even your mom."
Her jaw tightened."You're in foster care, too, genius.So maybe shut up."
His hand came out of nowhere.
The slap cracked across her cheek.Her head snapped to the side.The sharp sting turned hot instantly.For a second, she couldn't breathe.
While he'd terrorized her often, he'd never physically hurt her.No one had ever slapped her before.
Seth leaned in."I'm gonna tell them you tried to kiss me."
Her stomach dropped."What?No, I didn't—"
"They'll believe me."He smirked."Not some stupid girl who won't even talk half the time she's asked a question."
In her experience, she knew he was right.Foster kids always threatened each other with the worst thing they could imagine.Often, they lied about abuse to get moved to a different foster home.
Her eyes burned.Shame, fear, and fury churned in her chest all at once.She pushed herself to her feet and ran, ignoring Seth's laughter behind her.
She darted behind the house, past the shed, past the overgrown hedge, until she reached the line of trees that marked the edge of the property.She pressed her back against a trunk and took a shaky breath.
